I open my mouth again, hoping to have some sense come out this time, when Harper’s loud voice calls out again.This time, to the one person whose attention I was hoping not to attract.
UNCLE SID!LOOK WHO’S HERE!
Oh God, no,I whimper, not sure what else to do.If I ran, would Harper follow?Would that make me look like a lunatic?If I stayed, would he think I was stalking him?This is too much for my sleep-deprived brain to handle.
I watch in stunned silence as Sidney Crane looks up from the kid he’s talking to.His eyes land on Harper first.He follows the direction her finger is pointing…and then his gaze is on me.It takes a second, but I see the exact moment he recognizes me.
His dark, warm eyes widen.Then, a smile slowly overtakes his face.He’s happy to see me.
Me!
I feel self-conscious under his direct gaze.I didn’t put too much effort into my appearance this morning.Yet, that feeling is fleeting.The way he’s looking at me…it’s like my non-makeup look is his favourite.Like he’s never seen anything like me before.
Maybe he’s never seen an overworked mom with a messy bun, under-eye circles, and an oversized sweater that definitely has a mystery stain.I feel like I’m about to pass out from how much direct eye contact I’m getting.
Sidney Crane continues to stare at me with glee.
He only looks away for a moment, saying something to the young boy he was talking to, before his eyes are back on me.This time, as he walks in my direction, he blushes.And I swear on my last ounce of caffeine: I might actually die right here in this arena.
He’s feet away from me.Any second now, I’ll be able to reach out and touch him…if that was something I wanted to do.Which I don’t.And shouldn’t.
That would be weird, right?
Not knowing what else to do, I raise my hand and wave.A small laugh bursts out of him, and he’s…
Sidney.This way, please.We’re ready to start the event.
Then he’s gone.Pulled away like a rag doll by someone he must know, surprise all over his face as he’s directed through a nearby door.
It all happens so fast that if Harper and her mom weren’t by my side, both equally amazed at how fast Sidney was pulled away, I would have thought I’d imagined the whole thing.
Well,the woman says.That’s one way to make an exit.Want to join us for the speech?
Umm,I start to say, trying to think of a good excuse to get away to compose myself.I’m too slow, however, and Harper pipes up.
You have to hear Uncle Sid’s speech!It’s really good.
Her mom laughs, glancing at me.That’s the Harper’s Notes version, but she’s right.The speech is pretty inspirational.I’m Dani, by the way.Harper’s mom.
Nice to meet you,I say instantly.I’m Eddie.
Oh, I know,she says with a wink, linking her arm through mine at the same time.Let’s go.I want to hear your version of how you met Sid.
I’m too stunned to reply.
CHAPTER FIVE
SIDNEY
Speaking in front of large groups of people has never made me nervous.
Maybe there was a time, long ago, when the thought of getting up on a stage or in front of a camera was daunting, but I’ve grown so accustomed to it that now, it feels natural.
What doesn’t feel natural is the way my heart is beating, waiting for a glimpse of Eddie in the crowd.When I take my first step out the side door and make my way to the small stage they’ve set up near the entrance to the rink, a rush of noise surrounds me.I wave to the people who have come out today to help and learn more about Goals for Good.
It truly does humble me that there are so many people who support and champion this cause.
Grounding myself center stage, I adjust the microphone, buying myself a few precious seconds to look out over the crowd…and spot Eddie.To my absolute horror, I notice that she’s standing with my sister and Harper, and the two women are talking—that’s not good.
